Walnut Trails recognized for academic excellence

Elementary school earns honor for third straight year

Published: Friday, March 8, 2013 6:59 a.m. CDT

MINOOKA — The staff, students and parents at Walnut Trails Elementary School, part of Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201, have been honored by the Illinois State Board of Education for outstanding school performance.

Walnut Trails Elementary School in Shorewood was among 454, out of over 4,000 Illinois public schools, to be named to the Illinois Honor Roll and chosen for a 2012 Academic Excellence Award. This is the third year for Walnut Trails to achieve this award for sustaining high academic performance.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, schools that receive the Academic Excellence Award must have at least 90 percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards in reading and math for three straight years.

Winning schools also must have achieved Adequate Yearly Progress under the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

In 2012, 93 percent of the 500 students at Walnut Trails met or exceeded standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), according to the ISBE website. The school has achieved above 90 percent for the past five years.

“This award is a tribute to our teachers, students, and parents who exhibit extraordinary passion and dedication,” Principal Kathleen Cheshareck said. “Quality instruction, rigorous standards, a tightly-aligned curriculum and lots of hard work all contribute to improved student achievement.”